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Friday, 8 July 2016

Press Release: Meeting of Church leaders in Sydney to discuss situation of Christians in the Middle East, followed by an address by HG Bishop Angaelos on Global Displacement at a Public Forum

Coptic
Orthodox Church UK

Media
and Communications Office

Coptic
Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

Press Release: Meeting
of Church leaders in Sydney to discuss situation of Christians in the Middle
East, followed by an address by HG Bishop Angaelos on Global Displacement at a
Public Forum

8 July 2016

As part of his yearly pastoral visit to
Australia, His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church
in the United Kingdom, addressed the New South Wales (NSW) Ecumenical Council
on Christians in the Middle East on 28 June 2016, later giving an address on
global displacement at a Public Forum in Sydney.

Addressing the NSW Ecumenical
Council, Bishop Angaelos gave thanks to the Council's President, Rev John
Barr, and its General Secretary, the Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour, for
raising the issues of persecution and turmoil in the Middle East, saying after
the meeting:

“There is no time like
the present for solidarity, because the world is in such need for unity.
Gatherings such as this present a beacon of hope, especially at a time of such
global uncertainty.”

His Grace spoke of the
complexity of the Middle East situation, stressing the need to address the
factors that have contributed to it over the years, saying:

“Throughout the Middle
East there has been an organic, and sometimes systemic, yet gradual prejudice,
marginalisation and alienation of Christians and minorities allowed to continue
over decades, and as I have said in the past, this does not have to continue on
our watch; we can and should speak and act against it.”

Going on to highlight the
plight of people of other faiths and none, Bishop Angaelos continued:

“To infuse and maintain
the core values and Christian principles of love, freedom, equality and
faithfulness, we must advocate for the benefit of all indiscriminately. As a
Christian I cannot be selective as to who I love, honour, or forgive. We must
also not forget to give thanks to many of our Muslim brethren in the region
working tirelessly and at great personal risk to safeguard the rights of
Christians and others.”

Bishop Angaelos concluded his
address by calling for greater collaboration between Churches, saying:

“The responsibility of
Christian charity, generosity and hospitality is undeniable, so we must
continue to promote solidarity, unity, light and hope.”

Later in the day His Grace Bishop Angaelos
delivered an address on the situation of refugees at a Public Forum in Sydney
on Global Displacement. Bishop Angaelos spoke about refugee week being an
important part of our global calendar as a result of the current crisis, and
urged listeners to consider the humanity of every refugee, as an individual
entitled to dignity and respect.

Explaining that Egypt is a
country that historically provided refuge for the Holy Family, Bishop Angaelos
said:

“As the Church of Egypt
we are part of a country that accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as a refugee
fleeing persecution, and so we indeed see the face of Christ in every refugee.”

Speaking of the role of
Christians in responding to global displacement he continued:

“Our calling as
Christians in particular is to represent all, to be light to all, and to give
hospitality and charity to all indiscriminately, especially in the current
climate. There is no single life that is more valuable than another, and as a
Christian I cannot be selective as to who I love, forgive or provide for...the
context of our humanity is one.”

Shedding light on the genuine
struggle of refugees he said:

“These are not people
seeking economic prosperity, they are men, women and children fleeing war-torn,
poverty-stricken, near-anarchic states merely to find the safety and dignity to
which they are entitled. To live with dignity is not a luxury but a God-given
right that we must all respect, and do our utmost to secure for all.”

Going on to highlight the
importance of collaboration, Bishop Angaelos said:

“We must work to give a
context of peace and hope, and share the Christian message of love not hate,
hope not fear, inclusion not exclusion and compassion not intolerance. Beside
its pastoral and spiritual role, the Church is the biggest NGO in the world,
the biggest provider of aid, sustenance and support, with the grounds and means
to advocate, so let us continue to focus on people and not statistics, every
life is sacred and important.”

His Grace concluded by quoting
Leviticus 19:34:

“The stranger who
dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him
as yourself; for you were strangers...”

During the panel discussion
that followed addresses, Bishop Angaelos was asked about the security threat
posed by the refugee crisis, to which he responded:

“Of course it is a complicated
situation and of course it comes with potential risks. Although this is a
highly emotive and polarising issue, we must avoid merely being in polar
opposite camps, but work together to find and implement practical systems
of security assessment, instead of stereotyping every refugee and
asylum seeker as a potential terrorist.”

The meeting was moderated by Mandy
Tibbey, and the second keynote speaker was Tamara Domicelj, Regional Refugee
Protection Advisor with Act for Peace. The panellists were Ms Carmen Lazar OAM,
Community Settlement Services Assyrian Resource Centre, Mr Chey Mattner,
Executive Officer of the Australian Lutheran World Service, Lieut-Colonel
Samuel Pho, National Secretary of the Salvation Army, and Mr Sarkis Mouradian,
Co-Convenor of the Commission on the Middle East, NSW Ecumenical Council.